A tornado-producing storm hit central Indiana on Tuesday, damaging homes south-west of Indianapolis and downing power lines and uprooting trees in the city and its suburbs, authorities said.

It was one of several thunderstorms that sprang up in south-western Indiana near Terre Haute and became more severe as they moved north-east toward Indianapolis. National Weather Service meteorologist Mike Ryan said the tornado struck in the afternoon just southwest of Indianapolis and caused extensive damage to at least three homes.

That storm then headed into Indianapolis, where public safety director Troy Riggs said city emergency officials received reports of house and tree damage and downed power lines on the southwest side of the city.